Large plastic debris in  marine environments has received considerable attention from scientists, policy  makers and the media. Only recently, however, has much consideration been given  to the unique problems presented by microplastics (5.0mm - 0.33mm) in aquatic habitats. Initial efforts to quantify microplastics have concentrated in marine environments; however, this study investigates microplastics load in  freshwater bodies by sampling Lake Washington and the surrounding watershed. Water  samples were obtained with flow meter-equipped plankton nets modified for  accurate surface collection, and then processed using an oxidation reaction and  visual inspection method developed by UW Tacoma. Concentrations in Lake Washington varied  from 0.85 mg/m3 to 0.034 mg/m3 across three sampling sites  spanning the length of the lake. Results suggest significant freshwater origins for  microplastics found in the Puget Sound Basin (based on lake drainage into the Sound), underscoring the contribution of nonpoint sources to marine microplastic pollution.

Microplastic load in Lake Washington and surrounding watershed

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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